Bias in the Classroom: Types, Frequencies, and Responses

Abstract

Incidents of bias still occur in college classrooms, but no research has specifically explored this topic. To address this gap in the literature, professors (N = 333) completed anonymous surveys assessing types of bias they perceived in their classroom, their responses to the bias, and the perceived success of their responses. Results indicated that 38% of professors perceived an incident of bias in the classroom in the last year, and that they perceived overt (i.e., explicit) and subtle (i.e., implicit) bias with similar frequency. Professors believed their responses to bias were successful on average, but many could not assess success. Bias, in all its forms, still exists in college classrooms, and more discussion and research about its management is necessary.